On April 16-17, 2025, the Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC) hosted a delegation of peer-learning stakeholders from Tanzania in Mbabane, Eswatini, in partnership with the Centre for Financial Inclusion (CFI), FinMark Trust (FMT), and the Central Statistical Office (CSO). The objective of this two-day visit was to share expertise and best practices from Eswatini’s 2023 Blended FinScope Survey, with the goal of supporting Tanzania’s financial inclusion initiatives and fostering regional collaboration.
The program began on April 16 with a formal welcome by Acting Executive Director Qiniso Mthethwa, representing Dr. Sacolo, who emphasized the value of knowledge exchange for advancing financial inclusion. The day featured a series of technical presentations and discussions. The Centre for Financial Inclusion outlined its strategic priorities, fundraising strategies, and stakeholder engagement approaches for administering FinScope MSME surveys. FSD Tanzania presented its experiences in survey administration and fundraising, providing practical insights. The Central Statistical Office discussed its statistical and oversight roles, focusing on GIS modeling and Enumeration Area (EA) listing quality control. ESEPARC delivered a comprehensive session on questionnaire design, scripting, listing procedures, sampling methodologies, data management, quality control, and reporting, highlighting actionable recommendations. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Office of the Chief Government Statistician (OCGS) concluded with a discussion on key learnings, encouraging dialogue on improving survey methodologies. Closing remarks by FinMark Trust and CFI reaffirmed the commitment to ongoing collaboration. Health and lunch breaks facilitated professional networking among delegates.
On April 17, the delegation participated in a field visit to an Enumeration Area in Sidvwashini, led by ESEPARC and the Central Statistical Office, with support from Team Tanzania, CFI, and FMT. This practical exercise allowed participants to observe critical survey processes, including EA boundary identification and the implementation of survey protocols. The visit to Sidvwashini provided delegates with a direct understanding of Eswatini’s data collection practices, offering valuable insights for adapting similar methodologies in Tanzania.
Acting Executive Director Qiniso Mthethwa expressed confidence that this peer-learning visit would strengthen partnerships between Tanzania and Eswatini, contributing to innovative financial inclusion strategies. ESEPARC remains dedicated to advancing impactful research and regional cooperation, with further updates on our initiatives to follow.
